Marvin Cleveland Joyner was born March 8, 1885 in the Campground Community of Tipton County, Tennessee.
On January 5, 1908, he married Mattie Virginia Fletcher of the same community, Campground. Later, he bought a farm on Campground Road near Nicholas and Susie. Over the years, he continued accumulating land. He operated a blacksmith shop, a grocery store which was on the lot next to his home and had a farm with a large number of sharecroppers. In addition to being a farmer, Marvin bought and traded mules.
Son Petes’ account of Papa Joyner and his experiences with his mules: “The same type graders that are similar to the motorized grader of preset time and this was pulled by mules. Papa worked on the grader and Henry Pigam was his driver. Henry was one of the most recognizable mule team drivers in that area. Ole Beck was the saddle mule and Ole Rock, a large iron gray mule, worked the ditches. The line mules were Pete and Mandy. The roads were graded by Papa until the early thirties at which time Earl Elam initiated the first use of motorized road equipment in Tipton County. Papa was also responsible for collecting the Road Tax. Two dollars were hard to come by during those times. He had the authority to issue warrants for non payment, but he never had the heart to do so. Mama helped him in the tax collection, and I can still see her taking a stick to prop up the hand brake of that Model T Ford. I think Papa and Mama also had in mind to build their store, and they eventually did. Mama worked the store while Papa looked after other interests. His faithful mules died in a barn fire and the neighbors helped him plant his crops that year.”
According to family accounts, during the depression of 1928-1930 Marvin and Mattie fed and clothed many who were unable to help themselves during this time.
In December of 1939, Mr. Joyner moved to Memphis where he dealt in real estate. He lived at 789 North Dunlap and later on Mesquite Rd.
Mr. and Mrs. Joyner had seven children. Namely: Bessie Alene; Marvin Cleveland, Jr.; Woodrow Jenkins; Charles Ira; James Fletcher (Pete); Imogene and Emogene (twins).
He died on November 19, 1969 in Memphis, Tennessee and is buried in Memorial Park at this place.
Family of Marvin Cleveland Joyner
Father: Nicholas Joyner (1854-1928)
Mother: Susan Ann Chetam Lumpkin Joyner (1862-1940)
Siblings:
- Jessie Barnett Joyner (1879-1961)
- Elizabeth Lorilla Joyner Williams (1883-1938)
- Mary Louella Joyner McDaniel (1887-1968)
- Joseph Edward Joyner (1887-1967)
- Joseph Edward Joyner (1890-1969)
- Lillie Inez Joyner Fletcher (1892-1975)
- Vera Irene Joyner Forbes (1895-1983)
- Eva Selena Joyner (1895-1895)
- Naomi Isabelle Joyner Jones (1897-1926)
- Payton Augusta Joyner (1899-1952)
- Katie Maurine Joyner Loft (1899-1989)
- Ira Burton Joyner (1903-1973)
Spouse: Mattie Virginia Fletcher Joyner (1888-1972)
Children:
- Bessie Alene Joyner Starnes (1908-1995)
- Marvin Cleveland Joyner Jr. (1911-1972)
- Woodrow Jenkins Joyner (1913-1988)
- Charles I Joyner (1916-1999)
- James Fletcher Joyner (1918-2001)
- Emogene Joyner Fuller (1928-2022)